VIEVETROMAIVIS/1(A RON ICLE
sad THE LEGAL CHRONICLE
Strictly
Confidential
the Agudath Horabonim should have condemned
us without trying to find out precisely what
our resolution was is amazing. We shall
overlook Rabbi Konvitz's attack and shall
By CARL ALPERT
' and THE LEGAL CHRONICLE
The Oracle answeere iI gewatlats
limit our reply to the problem of the
Tidbits from Everywhere
of genera Jewish lateral. COW,
C•., lac
"Agunah" and to our supposed enactment.
ithould be addreiwed to The Orsoda
Published Weal, by The Yewlek Climate Publishing
in ears of The Detroit Jewish
is well known. the right to issue a
As
By PHINEAS J. BIRON
at
the
Post.,
Chroulele,
and
amid
be
segos-
intend as laceet.elaso mat ter blich
divorce is vested by Jewish law in the hands
1871.
Paled by • oNf.addresocel, stamped
der la Act of March
tau et Detroit. Idleh.. under
envelope.
of the husband. When for any reason what-
(Copyright, Wt. by a. A.
soever he does not issue it, the wife cannot
By BERNARD POSTAL
General Offices and Publication Building
remarry. During the World NN'ar and suc-
Q. Was there not another He-
UNKNOWN "GENIUS"
525 Woodward Avenue
Journalist,
playwright, diplomat, politician, columnist, wit,
ceeding pogroms, thousands of Jewish men
EDITOR'S NOTE:
brew opera which preceded "The
Edward Barclay Fenton is the
Cadillac 1040 Cable Address: Chronicle
Tolerpeirea• t
practical man of affairs and the first American
disappeared
from
their
families,
having
been
jurist,
philanthropist,
dreamer,
Pioneers,"
hailed
as
the
first
to
name of the new campaign genius
Laden Men
killed with no witness to testify to the fact
Zionist in one are only a few facets of the amazingly colorful personality of Mor-
be
staged
in
this
country
recently
by Edwin Goldwasser,
discovered
Stratford
Place,
London,
W.
1,
England
14
or having deserted their wives by escaping to
decai Manuel Noah, the sesquicentennial ■ nni y of whose birth is being cele-
--J. P.
chairman of the New York U. J.
$3.00 Per Year
other lands, condemning their wives to the
A. The first Hebrew opera pro-
brated July 19.
A. campaign, for the purpose of
Subscription, in Advance _
perpetual tragedy and loneliness of the
duced was "King Solomon," first
ndena ad net natter
making a success out of the New
en Ana Feature Syntlit air)
(.',,p)tight, 1535.
•s
eh.
Is..+ publication, ail
"Agunah" status.
heard at the old Madison Square
York campaign which thus far is
was rack ale office by Toerday aenIng of each week,
The problem has been becoming acute in
waned atlas, kindly ae one sla of the paper oslr•
Garden on May 23, 1926. It was
a complete flop ... Fenton ( a non-
•
Western Europe and America as well, where
written by Peter J. Engels, orches-
Jew) is in his twenties and his
rise Detroit Jewish Chronicle la•ita correepondena oa In
In 1870, shortly after the British army evacu- tian power within the meaning of the treaty and record as a campaigner is a sec-
a husband may desert his wife or, equally
tra leader, organist, conductor and
loet• ef lamest to the Jewish people, but dIsclelms respond-
Way for a iadorament of the viva eareered by the writers
frequently, may receive a civil divorce and
specialist in ancient Hebrew music. ated Philadelphia, General George Washington hence was exempt from its provisions. To ret known only to Goldwasser ...
• • •
then refuse to give his wife a Jewish divorce
came to Philadelphia to attend the wedding of substantiate his point he cited the Constitution Why he's expected to succeed in
Sabbath Readinks of the Torah
Q. What was the first of the
arousing the New York Jewish
with its provisions against sectarianism and
("get"), because of spite or because he
Pentateuchal portion —Num. 25 :10-30 :1
wishes to extort money. Increasing numbers
modern Jewish colonies founded in his aide-de-camp, Captain Manuel Mordecai Noah, religious tests, and the Joel Barlow treaty with communiity is something we can-
Prophetical portion—der. 1:1-2:3
of these women are therefore tempted to
Palestine?—L. D. I.
a citiaen of Charleston, South Carolina, who was
not fathom . • .
disregard the Jewish law and remarry with-
A. Despite its name Rishon-le- taking as his bride Zipporah Phillips, daughter Tripoli in 1798 which declared that the United FO B URC T.Hv l E aS dT
ecA kTE
Tammuz 18, 5695
out obtaining a "get," in spite of the fact
Jiilf 19, 1935
Zion (First for Zion) was not the of a Philadelphia Jewish patriot. From that States had no objections to Mohammedans be-
business genius
they are married women in the eyes of Jew-
first colony. This honor goes to
cause
of
their
religion
and
that
they
were
en-
of
the
Jewish
Daily Forward, has
ish tradition and are thus undermining the
Petach Tikvah, founded in 1871 by union there was born on July 19, 1785, exactly titled to and should receive all privileges of citi- withdrawn his resignation out of
150 years ago, Mordecai Manuel Noah, who was
Joshua Stampfer and associates.
sanctity of the Jewish family.
deference to the 76th birthday of
•
•
Can anything be done to deal with the prob-
destined to become the most prominent Ameri- zens of the most favored nations. The bey of A
Thecan ed tria to vr efo h h 'or iadfd .
. b . Cahan,
Reports of the renewal of anti-Semitic
Tunis
sustained
this
argument
and
Noah's
con-
lem? The Rabbinical Assembly of America
Q. What are the origins of the
controversy twheickwar
can Jew of the first quarter of the 19th century
outrages in Germany indicate that some-
and its Committee on Jewish Law consisting
words Jew and Hebrew?—S. T. Y.
tention
became
an
established
principle
of
inter-
Vladeck's
resignation will be re-
colorful
personalities
in
the
of eminent Jewish scholars, believes that
thing is wrong behind the scenes, and that
A. The word Jew comes from and one of the most
sumed in the fall ... This is only
national
law
which
has
never
been
challenged.
Jewish law possesses the means to remedy
Judah from the Hebrew Yehudah, public life of the young Republic. Noah's claim
Adolf Hitler and his cohorts are compelled
a
temporary
truce ... Which re-
this tragic situation. At its convention held
one of Jacob's sons from which de- to fame is many-sided, for he was a man who did Ultimately Noah was vindicated of Monroe's minds us that Dr. S. M. Melamed
once again to resort to attacks on the
charges,
the
United
States
Government
assuming
in Rockaway Park, a plan was adopted to
scended the Tribe of Judah. The
is
in
town,
visiting
from Holly-
many things and all of them well and with gusto.
Jewish scapegoat in order to blind the
deal with the problem. In spite of the ful-
he had ex- wood where he is again publish-
word Ilebrew may have come from
Noah was both journalist and playwright, diplo- full responsibility for the money
the
following
Konvitz,
German people to their true problems.
one
of
Abraham's
ancestors,
Eber,
minations of Rabbi
pended in securing the release of the imprisoned ing and editing the Reflex Maga-
are the basic facts about the recently adopted
or it may have originated from the mat and politician, columnist and wit, jurist
'More and more it is becoming evident
zine ... The next issue will have
and philanthropist, dreamer and practical man Americans.
resolution of the Rabbinical Assembly:
Hebrew word, "eber," Meaning
an article by Dr. Melamed under
that Germany is starving, and it is reason-
The plan is not a "reform" or break in
"over" and signifying the Jews, of affairs, the first American Zionist and the
Was
Editor,
Sheriff,
Judge,
Playwright
the title of "The Three Apes" ,
1.
able to believe that the Nazis are trying
the continuity of Jewish tradition. As a
who lived over on the other side
It will deal with Ab Cohan, Abe
Upon
his
return
to
the
United
States
in
1816
of
an
official
attempt
at
anti-Semitism
to drum up new parades and new hate
matter of fact, it is based almost entirely
of the Jordan. The phrase is com- first victim
Noah settled in New York, where he became one Goldberg and Abe Coralnik . . .
mon in Hebrew, "me-eber ha-yar- in the United States.
upon the practice of some Sephardic commu-
movements to pacify the suffering people.
Our colleague, Walter Winchell, is
Orphaned at the age of four, Noah was of the leading journalists, politicians and play- on vacation and spending it on
nities of the old world of unswerving Jewish
den."
It appears that there is as much truth as
• • •
wrights. A staunch Democrat, he allied him- Broadway . . . He wants to see
loyalty and unquestioned learning.
brought
up
by
his
paternal
grandfather,
Jonas
there is humor in the story told by Eugene
Q. What was the reason for Phillips of Philadelphia, who apprenticed him to self with Tammany Hall and the Jacksonian' how Mazda Lane looks by sun-
2. The proposal is not the offspring of an
Lyons in harpers Magazine, regarding
Aaron Sapiro's famous libel suit
idle hour but represents the work of an out-
light . . . Mordecai Stolier, edi-
against Henry Ford? Was it be- a carver. Studious by nature, young Noah man- Democracy. In 1822 he was named sheriff of tor and publisher of El Diario Is-
standing expert on Jewish law, Rabbi Louis
an emaciated-looking unemployed German
New York. When some of his opponents pro- raeliteo, the oldest and most suc-
aged
to
obtain
an
education.
His
literary
tastes,
cause
Sapiro,
as
a
Jew,
took
of-
M.
Epstein
of
Boston,
Mass.,
who
has
studied
who stopped on a street corner to take in
fense at Ford's statements?—N. T.
the question for years and five years ago
manifest even in his youth, drew him to the tested that a Jewish sheriff should hang Chris- cessful Yiddish daily in Buenos
another notch in his belt. A brown-
published a Hebrew work entitled "A Pro-
A.
Franklin Library where he attracted the atten- tians, Noah replied: "Pretty Christians to merit Aires, who is now in this country
shirted militiaman shouted to inquire
of
the
Status
of
A.
Aaron
Sapiro
sued
Henry
Improvement
posal for the
hanging." Ile also served as surveyor of the on an official mission for the Ar-
what he was doing, and the unemployed
Ford for libel as an individual and tion of prominent Philadelphians, among them
Agunoth." In this learned halachic work,
gentine Government, predicts that
wan Morris who freed him Port of New York by appointment of President
not
as
a
representative
of
the
Jews.
Robert
Morris.
It
all
the
Talmudic
and
post-Talmudic
authori-
the time will come when all Jews
person informed the Nazi: "Nothing, I'm
According to articles in the Dear- from his apprenticeship bonds and obtained for Jackson, and associate judge of the court of
ties
were
studied
and
their
opinions
evalu-
will have to speak and understand
just having my breakfast."
born Independent, it was stated him an appointment as clerk in the office of sessions. As an intimate of Martin Van Buren,
ated with great brilliance and understanding
English if they want to communi-
But instead of deriving encouragement
that the co-operative farming the auditor of the United States Treasury. Noah De Witt Clinton, Jackson and Calhoun, Noah cate with other Jews .. . A new
of the law. Rabbi Epstein sent his pamphlet
from a possible let-down in persecutions
movement in this country was led
to over 1,000 rabbis in the United States,
biographical dictionary of Ameri-
by Jews, financed by Jews and was hardly out of his teens when he resigned was the center of many noted political disputes.
Europe and Palestine, with an urgent plea
and humiliations, there is, instead, an
can Jews edited by Leo Glassman
generally was controlled by a small this clerkship to become a legislative correspond- Among the newspapers he edited at various
to them to consider the merits of his proposal.
is now on the press . . . Dr. S.
increase of it, and our people is doomed
group
of
Jews
for
their
own
per-
egie.
Of the rabbis who replied, including Rabbi
Margoshes, editor of The Day,
att Harrisburg, times were the National Advocate, the New York
Philadelphia
ant r efor e
to suffer more than ever, even if the
sonal benefit. Aaron Sapiro, a
Kook, practically all agreed that the proposed
thinks that the decision by Vladi-
Enquirer (which through mergers became the
ado inp ga speor f e state
he areported d
possibility of a revolt approaches. It is
young California lawyer who was
mir Jabotinsky to hold a separate
plan was thoroughly in accordance with Jew-
the genius behind the development lature. This was his first experience. In 1903 New Pork World), the Commercial Advertiser,
Zionist World Congress is a Re-
certainly the worst kind of news to be in-
ish law, but they felt diffident about putting
of co-operative marketing in the
it into practice. The Rabbinical Assembly
he moved to Charleston, South Carolina, where the Messenger and the Union and Times. He visionist plot to kill off the Jewish
formed that Julius Streicher, arch •nti-
United
States,
was
alleged
to
be
should also have preferred to have had the
editors . . . One Congress, Mar-
his father's patriotisM during the Revolution was also one of the founders of the earliest press
Semite of all time, is slated to succeed
the head and front of this conspir-
plan sponsored by all exponents of tradi-
was already a legend. Six years later he was association. Noah's editorials were sharp and goshes says, is bad enough, but two
acy. The venom heaped against
Goebbels as the Reich minister of propa-
Congresses are virtually murder.
tional Judaism.
named
editor
of
the
City
Gazette.
One
of
the
personal.
His
style
was
lively
and
witty
and
p
Sapiro was what led him to bring
ganda. Imagine charging a maniac of
SPORTY
For five years its Committee on Jewish Law
young "war hawks" who plumped for war with he wrote so many pungent paragraphs that he
suit.
the sype of Streicher with responsibility
If Max Beer's -matrimonial
waited for others to take the lead in order to
• • I,
was
England,
Noah's
outspoken
war
sentiments
might
be
called
the
first
columnist.
Noah
bliss depends on his acceptance of
heal the rapidly widening breach in the wall
in German government affairs, at a time
Q.
What
is
the
American-Jewish
brought
him
into
conflict
with
the
predominant
also
the
author
of
half
a
dozen
plays
which
were
the
Catholic faith, his recent mar-
of Jewish life. No such step was taken by
when he is reported to have unloosed the
Joint Reconstruction Foundation?
the Orthodox rabbinical body. At last we
opinion of the wealthy seaport city which op- among the mast popular of their day. Between riage to a Catholic girl will be a
following tripe in an address to 20,000
What
is
its
work?—W.J.
C.
bust . . . Ancil Hoffman, Baer's
felt that this proposal, which is thoroughly
A. This group was organized in posed anything that would interfere with jingo- to and political campaigning he found time manager, laid down the law and
children at Ilesselberg:
in accord with Jewish tradition, ought not to
1924 by the American J. D. C. and
merce. Never one to avoid a fight, Noah's jingo- to lecture on the origin of the American Indians, told the ex-champion that his leav-
go into the discard because of the unwilling-
the Jewish Colonization Association
Boys and girls, one single nation came out
istic opinions involved him in many quarrels and whom he regarded as the ten lost tribes of Israel, ing the Jewish faith would rule
ness of older rabbis to take this responsibil-
with a view to giving constructive
him out of professional fighting as
as victor of the World War. This nation bled
ity. Even now we know that a large per-
several duels, in one of which he killed his and to serve as a major in the state militia.
relief
to
needy
in
Eastern
and
the German people and tortured its body and
centage of Orthodox rabbis who posesss learn-
So far as American Jewry is concerned, far as his box office value is con-
Central European countries. The
opponent.
cerned .. . Baer revealed for the
soul until Hitler came and summoned us to a
ing and character, whose hearts are pained
Foundation has limited its work
Noah's chief claim to greatness lies in his dra- first time that he's a member of a
holy war on this nation, which wanders with
Was U. S. Consul to Tunis and Algiers
at the wholesale disregard of Jewish tradi-
to the financing of Jewish credit
matic
efforts
in
behalf
of
the
Jewish
people.
synagogue and that his father
the brand of Cain through the centuries and
His vigorous editorials soon attracted na-
tion and who are filled with a sense of re-
institutions and in 1934 supported I
throughout the world.
During his travels in Europe and Africa he had urged him to marry a Jewish girl
sponsibility and fair play will be ready to
tional attention, and in 1811 President Madison
580
such
institutions.
Incidentaly it might interest
Boys and airier, you will hear it said that
judge the plan on its merits. We hope and
• • •
seen the misery of the Jews and he dreamed of
Q. What is the Shechinah?—L. offered him the post of American consul at
you to know that a large family
this nation is ■ Chosen People. Don't you
trust that they join with us in implementing
some
way
of
alleviating
it.
To
him
Palestine
Riga,
which
he
refused.
Two
years
later,
how-
of Bun in the Bohemian village
believe it. A chosen people cannot do what
it for American Israel.
I. G.
the Jews have done. A chosen people does not
ever, he accepted another diplomatic appoint- was the ultimate solution. As early as 1818, in of Orlau, all of them Jews and
A. Shechinah literally means
3. Our plan does not call for a condi-
many of them Chassidim, claim
wander through the world and make every
a
speech
at
the
dedication
of
Shearith
Israel
ment
as
consul
to
Tunis,
with
a
special
-mission
tional marriage as Rabbi Konvitz imagines it
"dwelling" and is occasionally em-
to be kinsmen of Max's father ...
nation work for it. A chosen people does not
does, nor upon the issuance of a conditional
ployed in that sense. Far more to Algiers. In this assignment he distinguished Synagogue in New York he had urged the mob-
torture animals, does not deprive peasants of
divorce at the time of marriage. It is an
frequently it denotes the Divine
ilization of an army of 7,000,000 Jews to drive PERSONALITIES
himself
by
ransoming
a
group
of
American
sail-
homes,
does
not
drive
your
fathers
to
their
Sidney Wallach of the American
arrangement where the husband who has the
Presence, God manifesting Him-
ore held in slavery in Algeria, but in freeing Turkey out of Europe as the first step toward the Jewish Committee's secretariat is
nespair, does not outrage women.
right to grant a divorce empowers one or
self.
Children, the Jew is once more attempting
• • •
the American captives he expended more money re-establishment of the Jews in Palestine. But back from Europe with startling
several named agents to issue a divorce to his
to incite the nations of the world against us
wife at any future time, should she become
Q. When was the Agudath Is- than the government had allotted for that pur- Noah was no impractical visionary. He realized information on the German refugee
and drive on to war. But we swear we shall
an "Agunah." In that case these appointed
rael formed?-1, F.
pose. His many enemies at home utilized this that before the suffering masses of Jewry could situation ... JDC leaders got to-
enlighten entire humanity so that, when the
A. The first organization meet-
agents, in accordance with his order and
be made ready for the upbuilding of an agri- gether for a special session loot
next war comes, it will be a war of exter-
week because David A. Brown in-
after direction of the duly accredited rab-
ing took place in Czernowitz in seeming irregularity to force his recall in 1815.
mination of this enemy of all peoples, of the
1904 under the presidency of Rabbi In his official letter of dismissal Secretary of cultural state in Palestine they needed an im- sisted on getting action on the
binical courts, consisting of fully ordained
eternal Jew.
Dr.
rabbis, would issue a "get" or divorce to
Benjamin Ila-Kohen Weiss.
State Monroe gave as the principal reason for mediate refuge film; persecution and a place situation of Polish Jewry
• • •
the woman. That "get" is absolutely and
Noah's recall, not that he had overstepped his where they could be taught the rudiments of Chaim Weizmann will be in Amer-
Once a man with such mentality, who
before
1935
is
over
in
connec-
Q. Who is Judge Panken? — T.
ica
unequivocally valid from the standpoint of
Jew
and
farming. To carry out this two-fold objective,
official authority, but that he was a
is already bent upon poisoning the minds
tion with his private business ..
N. A.
the Jewish law.
as such unsuited to the diplomatic post he was he conceived the monumental idea of establishing The American Jewish Congress i s
A. Jacob Panken is a justice of
of children, assumes power over the Reich
4. The plan is not retroactive and will not
a temporary Jewish state on Grand Island, near taking a vacation ... Nobody has
the Domestic Relations Court in holding.
affect marriages already entered into. Far
propaganda, it is certain to be much worse
New York. In 1917 he was elected
replaced Dr. Joshua Goldberg, the
from harming Jewish law, our proposal will
This letter was a shock to Noah, who had Buffalo, N. Y.
for Jewry. Evidently those who said a
to the municipal court for a 10- never made a secret of his Jewishness, which was
secretary, who is in Europe on a
restore to it a vitality and sanctity which it
Founder
of
Jewish
City
of
Ararat
year ago that it can't be any worse than
year
term,
the
only
Socialist
ever
'
three-month's visit, and the staff
has always enjoyed.
In 1820 he tried to get the New York State in New York is breaking its head
to be elected to a judicial position well known when he was appointed. He was
We have postponed inauguration of this
it is, were wrong. It can be worse. In
in New York City. Judge Panken particularly angry because Monroe had inti- Legislature to grant him a site on Grand Island to find a function .. Dr. Henry
arrangement until the year 5696. This gives
fact, it is constantly getting worse and
was one of the organizers of the
plenty of time to all those interested to study
mated that the bey of Tunis was opposed to but although a legislative committee reported Moskowitz kept his word about pro-
more tragic for Jews in bestial Germany.
ORT and of the People's Relief Noah as a Jew. The fact of the matter was that
Palestine into Ort activi-
the plan and think there are any valid hale-
favorably on the project, the legislature never jecting
later
merged
was
Council
which
ties . . . At • recent luncheon
chic objections, to be able to voice them.
into the Milt Distribution Com- Noah was the most popular consul in the Barbary passed the bill. Five years later, when Grand given to welcome him back from
We feel certain that the overwhelming
States. While he was stationed at Tunis, war
Island was thrown open for settlement, Noah abroad he made a marathon ad-
mittee.
majority of the adherents to traditional Juda-
•
•
broke out between England and the United prevailed upon a Christian friend, Samuel Log- dress on the possibilities for the
ism who are devoted to the perpetuation of
In most Jewish quarters it is felt that
Jewish tradition and the advancement of
true that Japan is foe- States, and an American privateer came into
Q.
Is
it
gett, to buy up 2,500 acres on Grand Island as Jews in Palestine ... Rabbi Bar-
modern conditions demand drastic changes
nett Brickner of Cleveland and
Jewish life in our midst, will recognize both
tering anti-Semitism in Manchu- Tunis with three English vessels loaded with the site of a Jewish city. His only Jewish sup-
in certain Jewish practices and interpreta-
Rabbi Ferdinand Isserrnan of St.
the integrity of our intention and the unim-
kuo?—N. R.
valuable
cargoes
as
prizes,
which
were
turned
porter
was
A.
B.
Seises
of
New
York,
but
Noah
Louis
are going to Germany this
peachable legal authority for our enactment.
A. Despite reports that Japan-
tions of Jewish laws. On numerous occa-
ese officials in Manchukuo are en- over to Noah to sell at auction. The British had painted such an alluring picture of the summer to get first-hand informa-
sions, therefore, views have been ex-
Perhaps it is still time to win the spon- couraging anti-Semitism, the Jap- minister protested the sale on the basis of a future metropolis on Grand Island that many tion on what's what ... Governor
pressed, in our columns and elsewhere,
Horner of Illinois wants
sorship
and support of the Orthodox fac- anese government has stated that treaty with England providing that no Christian New York capitalists speculated in Grand Island Henry
in favor of convening a Sanhedrin of
to be re-elected but those in the
it would not allow any persecution
tions
in
Jewry
for
the
proposed
plan
for
power
should
sell
•
British
prize
or
its
cargo
in
lots.
Noah
had
named
his
Jewish
city
"Ararat"
know
think
that his chances are
of the Jews where it has any influ-
learned Jewish spokesmen from all parts
an Algerian port. Noah admitted the validity and set Sept. 2, 1825, as the day for laying the very slim . . . Dr. Dmitri Mar-
of the world to deal with problems which the solution of the problems of the ence or responsibility.
ianoff, Einstein's son-in-law, sailed
create conflicts in Jewish life, for the ex- "Agunah." Our Orthodox rabbis should The Orals le sow available In bah of the minister's claim but pointed out that under cornerstone of the city. Unable to reach Grand for France and on his return in the
a proper interpretation of international law the Island conveniently, Noah decided to lay the
as a had, jewleh reference hook.
pro's purpose of amending and modifying realize that the plight of the deserted forts
fall will head an important Jewish
Plane
your
order
whh
year
Waal
bonk-
women deserves serious consideration and dealer or write the Oracle, care of The United States could not be regarded as • Chris-
(MAASS TURN TO NEXT RAMC)
farm undertaking
EI C itR
ETF*Orjj___§LI
THE ORACLE
American Zionist Number One
Mordecai Manuel Noah's Colorful Life
Poisoning Children's Minds
A Courageous Step Forward
I
Jewish laws.
It is unfortunate that wide differences
of opinion existing among various Jewish
groups should make it almost impossible
to realize the hope for the convening of
such a modern Sanhedrin. The existing
controversies among Jewish groups, how-
ever, should not be permitted to becloud
issues and to act as barriers to the solution
of pressing problems, especially those en-
tailing hardships.
With all due respect for the views ex-
pressed in an adjoining column by Rabbi
Joseph Thumim on the question of Jewish
divorce laws and the "Agunah" (deserted
wife) problem, we feel that this is one
issue which in itself would have justified
the convening of a world rabbinical court
for the purpose of amending existing laws
and alleviating hardships for many unfor-
tunate deserted Jewish wives.
It is deplorable that the Orthodox Rab-
binate should have taken the step it did
in condemning what to us appears to be a
very courageous act on the part of the
Rabbinical Assembly of America. While
we are pleased, in adherence to our pol-
icy of granting freedom of expression to
our readers, to publish Rabbi Thumim's
views, we deem it important that the read-
ers should familiarize themselves with the
stand of the Rabbinical Assembly. The
latter. replying to an attack by the Union
of Orthodox Rabbis on its action on the
Agunah' question issued a statement in
which it declared:
W.--e it not for the fact that the issue of
the " , gunah" is one of paramount importance
for s ,, e maintenance of Jewish tradition in
America and throughout the world, there
)- e no need to reply to the attack of
st.hb Joseph Konya% upon the Rabbinical
•
that the elimination of infidelity and im-
morality will be assured only when Jew-
ish women will be assured of humane con-
sideration of their position in instances of
desertion.
The Rabbinical Assembly of America
has taken a courageous step forward in
urging a solution of a pressing problem.
Orthodox Jewry must find a way to join
with the Conservatives in making the pro-
posed plan binding, legal and thoroughly
acceptable.
Detroit Jewish Chronicle.
Jewish Divorce Laws and the Project
For Solving Problems of the "Agunabs"
RACHEL
By AL SEGAL
I found Rachel. I had tusked
myself many years, "What has
By RABBI JOSEPH THUMIM
become of Rachel?" She as
(of Congregation Beth Abraham, Detroit)
well as Rebecca had been on
If.DITOIVn NoTN: Adhering te I...talk/led policy of rendn'lifid
my mind, but, particularly,
nf The Delnat Jewish hronlrle ma an pen
e.
foram for the full ThtIFPLUO
dlorwooloa
of
on the
Rachel.
Jewish problem,* we aro pleaned to pis bll ah the new of RAW Wi I .111. In fate-
o
l
se
Met
effect
I
he
"Asa
rtallo...-denerted
eetion f diarew lane
as
.. la the Coaerrathe tleupeine, aweier, we Perwent Ile atillnde in hit wn -
Not that I had any romantic
talal apearing this Ira..
interest in Rachel; for, as ev-
laws concerning eryone knows, long ago I
Recently, the Rabbinical As- and particular
word and every single let- emerged from the pink haze of
sembly of the Theological Semin- every
These laws are
■ especially romance into the stern reali-
A report from Berlin informs us that ary adopted a new project in the ter.
strict about the names of the di-
some 15,000 Confessional $ynod adher- performance of marriage in order vorced and of their fathers, and ties of married life.
help women who secure divorces of the pronounciation, spelling, the
My interest in Rachel was
ents, led by 102 bishops and pastors, gath- to
in courts of law but whose hus-
ered on June 21 for a divine service, the bands refuse to divorce them ac- form of putting in writing and the altogether ethnic, or, to make
exact sounding of these names and it short, Jewish. Into what-
keynote of which was "fanatical deter- cording to Jewish law.
This project aroused the wrath concerning the signatures of the ever Jewish circle I fell I
mination to defy coordination in the Na-
the Union of Orthodox Rabbis witnesses which must also be in looked for Rachel. Long ago
tional Socialist system and hold fast to of
script.
of the United States and Canada, Biblical
It is absolutely essential that I used to meet Rachel often.
their faith as dictated by their own con- who protested vigorously and
this document, the "Get" be writ- Even as tortillas symbolize
threatened ex-communication to ten
sciences."
by • Sofar or scribe, and the
The larger the group of rebels against those accepting the above ruling. witnesses who are design.ted by Mexico, as spaghetti stands for
Upon the request of the Union of
Nazis,
the
merrier—and
the
safer.
husband in a very particular Italy, as John Bull for England,
the
Orthodox Rabbis, I have signed the the
are ordered by him to have Rachel meant Jewish quality,
protest which in my opinion is jus- manner
in
mind
writing and sign-
Nazis in Berlin are boycotting Jewish- tified. I will explain here the ing that at it the
is especially for the meant candle lights being
nature
of
the
project
and
the
manufactured ice-cream. They must be
sake
of
a
divorce
for him and his blessed on Sabbath eve, meant
of the opposition: First,
the hungry products of Ilitlerism who points
divine hands cooking gefilte
will describe the procedure of a wife, exclusively.
Question
of
Designation
haven't the means of purchasing the cool- Jewish divorce which was estab-
fish.
are
other
important
state-
There
ing substance and are giving vent to lished by the Talmud and the Sages
Where was Rachel?
ments to be taken by the rabbi
who
composed
the
Shulchan
Arndt
hatred created by the heat of summer—
In the Jewish circles I looked
The Jewish divorce consists of from the husband but the most
This for Rachel, and instead found
and by despair.
three acts or performance. First, important is the designation.
expressed
by
!
designation
must
be
the writing of the "Get," the bill
husband orally and in the pees- Phyllis. Betty Jane, Rosalind,
Leading Jewish sportsmen are reported of divorcement. This must be the
rice of the designated parties I Genevieve, Phoebe, Muriel,
to be contemplating intermarriage, and written in 12 lines, in Biblica l But there were cases in the 16th Raquel, Marietta, Antoinette
just like the Serer Torah,
one, who has already intermarried, even writing.
with • feather pen and must con- and 17th centuries that men were and Marguerite.
admits planning conversion to Catholi- form to other special laws about captives or in fighting armies many
Oh, the Jewish loveliness of
cism, evidently as part of his stupid pub- every written instrument. There hundreds of miles away from their Rachel! Her luminous hands
l are special requirements for the homes without any hope of return- I
The More, the Merrier—the Safer
: lieitv stunts. Well, who cares; they al
THE JEWISH POPE
THE POPE FROM THE 011181TO. By
Gunnel 'ton Le Prin.-Translated from
the German hr Conrad M. II. Bons.
Oa. Pubtlehed by Pheett a Ward,
81 Fifth Are New Tors (11 it).
ism, the mother of the Pope from
the ghetto, and her daughter ,
who play the most important
roles in the story. When Petrus
Leonia became baptized Miriam
returned to her father's home
and to the ghetto, there to rear
the blind twins. sister of Petrus
Pierleone, who was born 48 hours
d.et
rticahmeP
sfmn
roairn
f
messengers
n g and snatched th e
This
new-born
daughter, Trophala, comes to Pe-
t r r e u tu e ra in astfe aad h s o of arh ,I g iiraia a l m f a ss i .fhhen he
Fantastic incidents in the his-
tory of Rome and the Vatican in
the 12th century are incorporated
in Madame von LeFort's story
based on the legend of the Jewish
pope.
There is a mingling of prophe-
cies and miraculous occurrences
in "The Pope From the Ghetto."
A mysterious woman foretells the
coming of Antichrist Rabbi Ibn
It is the Frangipani who slay
Mischa! pronounces the prophecy the young girl on her visit to the
that the daughter of Miriam, chapel while she holds the Infant
mother of tht Pope from the Savior. The Frangipani are the
Ghetto, will bring back the Roman nobles who play the roles
brother to the fold. And inter- of villains in this story, at first
mingled with it all in the story as the allies of Pierleone and
is a series of riots and mob out. later as his bitterest enemies-
bursts, indicative of the super- wa T yhe to en th d o p f ap th ae i
tragedy
stitions of the Rome of that came
came when the blind girl felt her
time.
the
The plot opens about the mid-,
was dying and Pier-
die of the 11th century, when the leone was on the eve of victory
money-lender, Chanoch Ben Ezra, in achieving Popehood. The g irl
was saved from ■ mob by Pope had come to reclaim the cardinal
Leo IX. The rioters had set out s tthoe Judaism.
to punish Jews for causing an! When
When Pierleone was elected
was
earthquake. Chanoth, in spine.'
elation. lent large sums of money
to the Pope, and his son retained
e fro m
ope
c°4e ne
rdfi
the friendship.
w P i
. e n e eit w
a ubsdy
t h risen
r5e
r t i e "n t roloi tt be l e ai hP ner
title
It was the grandson, Petrus cPTAhohh:omes
becomes
anti-pope, with the
. Leonis, who became baptized, but
Ger'
returned to the faith on his
The story, written by
!deathbed.
son, Petra,
man devout Roman Catholic. is
• The
Pier-
leone at that time risen to the friendly to Jews. It is a most
has the
poet of cardinal, was thoroughly
tgawrehdoYanmde
disgusted with his father's _ye- fascinating
e